Liverpool vs Everton LIVE: Result and reaction as Diogo Jota inspires crucial Merseyside derby win for league leaders
Can David Moyes and Everton cause the hosts to stumble?
Diogo Jota’s second-half strike proved the difference as Liverpool edged Everton in a crucial Merseyside derby win, taking them one step closer to the Premier League title.
Everton should have had the lead at half-time, with Beto seeing an initial effort disallowed for offisde before failing to punish a Virgil van Dijk howler at the back, hitting the post when one-on-one with Caoimhin Kelleher.
But after the break, Liverpool stepped up a notch and found the lead through a brilliant Jota strike, dancing past two defenders before slotting home to end his goal drought.
The Reds were able to hold on for the remainder of the contest, sealing a victory that re-establishes their 12-point lead at the top.
Follow all of the latest from Anfield with our live blog below:
The Premier League has never been more popular but it has never had more problems
There was a strange feeling around some Premier League training grounds on Monday, especially for the modern game. It was one of refreshment. The sun was out for a lot of teams, and many players haven’t had a game for two and a half weeks. It represents the longest break the Premier League has had since the summer.
Such a gap would normally bring the same sense of refreshment to the actual games, but then this is also a strange time for the Premier League as a whole. Normally so used to being the biggest show around, “the world’s best league” last weekend witnessed the FA Cup bringing some actual storylines back to a relatively drab season.
That was something else that fed into the feeling at some training grounds this week. There is a sense of a season winding down, rather than building to a crescendo.
The Premier League has never been more popular but it has never had more problems
Surprise goalkeeper selection by Slot
Something of a surprise to see Caoimhin Kelleher starting. The general expectation, not least from Arne Slot's press conference yesterday, was that Alisson would be fit. It actually means Kelleher retains his place, as he started the Carabao Cup final. The lone change is to bring Curtis Jones in at right-back, where he played against Leicester last season, though Slot will hope to see a change of approach after admitting Liverpool were outworked by Newcastle at Wembley. And so Everton, unbeaten in nine, go into this derby as the form team.
Atmosphere reaching fever pitch outside Anfield
A reminder of what went down last time out...
Sometimes the Merseyside derby gets criticism for not having that intense ultra-competitive derby feel. February’s meeting at Goodison was not one of those times.
After a back-and-forth contest, James Tarkowski channeled his inner-Jagielka and volleyed home an absolute thunderbolt deep into stoppage time, equalising for Everton in a dramatic 2-2 draw.
Then, chaos ensued. Abdoulaye Doucoure went over to the away to rub the result - which very much felt like two points lost for Liverpool - in the faces of Reds fans. Toxteth boy Curtis Jones did not take kindly to that, squaring up to Doucoure and sparking a brawl.
Jones was sent off, Doucoure was sent off, and after telling referee Michael Oliver how he felt about his officiating, Reds manager Arne Slot also saw red. Carnage.
Everton welcome back Mykolenko
The big news from Everton’s teamsheet is that Vitali Mykolenko has passed his late fitness test and starts at left-back ahead of Ashley Young.
Iliman Ndiaye is also on the bench after returning to training this week.
Derby day comes too soon for Liverpool duo
Alisson and Conor Bradley both returned to Liverpool training this week and were in contention to feature, but have both missed out on the matchday squad.
Caoimhin Kelleher assumes his usual position as Alisson’s trusted deputy, while Curtis Jones - who was at the centre of controversy when these two sides last met, looks to be playing at right-back.
Ryan Gravenberch, on the other hand, does make a return after suffering a knock in Liverpool’s Carabao Cup final loss to Newcastle.
Confirmed line-ups
Liverpool XI: Kelleher; Jones, Konate, Van Dijk, Robertson; Gravenberch, Mac Allister, Szoboszlai; Salah, Jota, Diaz.
Everton XI: Pickford; O’Brien, Tarkowski, Branthwaite, Mykolenko; Gueye, Garner; Harrison, Doucoure, Alcaraz; Beto.
Team news on the way...
Right, just five minutes or so until the team news lands at Anfield - here’s a quick reminder of what we know so far:
Alisson Becker, Ryan Gravenberch and Conor Bradley have all returned to Liverpool training and could be in contention to feature, although a late fitness test will likely prove decisive for the trio. Alisson picked up a suspected concussion on Brazil duty, while Ryan Gravenberch suffered a knock in Liverpool’s Carabao Cup final loss. Joe Gomez and Alexander-Arnold remain sidelined.
Wednesday’s trip across Stanley Park will prove too soon for Iliman Ndiaye, Dwight McNeil and Dominic Calvert-Lewin, all of whom have returned to training but won’t be ready to feature. Vitali Mykolenko is in contention though, while Orel Mangala remains a long-term absentee for David Moyes after injuring his ACL in January.
Will there be any surprises?
Virgil van Dijk sends message to Liverpool fans
Virgil van Dijk has urged the Liverpool fans to lift the home side tonight as they chase the Premier League title.
"All season long, I have been talking about focus, humility, hard work, togetherness and full commitment, and those are the things, along with our quality, which will get us to where we want to be,” Van Dijk says in his programme notes.
"You guys can play your part too. I've said previously that we want Anfield to be absolutely on fire every time we play between now and the end of the season, and I'd like to repeat that request here.
"We have five home games remaining, starting on Wednesday night, and our wish is that every single one of our opponents feels the power of this stadium. Let's have the place bouncing, from first whistle to last.
"We know what to expect from Everton. We only have to go back a few weeks to see that.
"The game at Goodison Park in February was really tough and ended in disappointment for us with that late equaliser, but we know we can play better than we did that night, and with you guys roaring us on, that will be the aim.”
Jamie Carragher explains ‘disappointment’ over Trent Alexander-Arnold
Last week brought news that, while perhaps unsurprising, would have come as a disappointment to Liverpool fans with Trent Alexander-Arnold seemingly close to agreeing a move to Real Madrid. Will it be business as usual for the right back between now and the end of the season?
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